Chapter 9

◎Xu Yan, what do you mean!◎

“Chen Yi!”

The next morning, Yu You’an had just settled at her workstation when she spotted Chen Yi approaching from afar, humming cheerfully and lugging a big bag of coffees. As she drew near, Chen Yi passed one to Yu You’an and set the rest on their colleagues’ desks.

The coffee warmed her palms like a touch of autumn sunlight.

Yu You’an cradled her cup, blinking curiously. “What’s got you in such a great mood? Spill the good news.”

“Nothing much,” Chen Yi said, though the laughter sparkling in her eyes betrayed her.

She seemed to float on air.

Her heart floated right along with her.

Lightly, buoyantly, drifting on the breeze toward the clouds.

She’d been floating all night.

All because of that email from Fade.

Chen Yi hadn’t dared log into her side account until after her main account live stream ended late the previous night. When she saw the little red notification dot in her inbox, her heart nearly stopped. Clicking it open brought sweet relief. Those simple words—ordinary Chinese characters strung together—held magic that flipped her mood in an instant, filling her with boundless joy.

The misunderstanding was cleared up.

Fade hadn’t been online the past couple of days because she was sick, not because of Chen Yi.

Fade had said she was glad to have met her, too.

After her heart pounded through those initial flutters, Chen Yi couldn’t help but wonder: How did she get sick all of a sudden? Was she feeling better? Did it hurt much? And most nagging of all—was it really just an illness?

Maybe it was an excuse.

But if it was an excuse, that was for the best. It meant the annoying bug hadn’t actually been hounding Fade these past two days.

Either way, the little hiccup was behind them. If Fade had been online that day, Chen Yi could’ve dragged her through a hundred dungeons in one go.

After expressing her concern in her reply email, Chen Yi had meant to crash, but excitement kept sleep at bay. So she’d gotten back up and streamed again.

Her fans were baffled. “Vegetable Sister, you practicing sit-ups these days? Stream off, stream on—off, on!”

Vegetable Sister just grinned.

Heh heh, she loved it!

Though she’d barely slept, her good mood lingered when she woke the next day. Remembering her promise to bring Yu You’an coffee, she grabbed a cab to the office and stocked up big at the nearby café.

She’d gotten some for all her office colleagues.

As for Xu Yan—

Chen Yi glanced toward the private office in the other direction.

Seated nearby, Yu You’an caught the look and perked up with her gossip radar. “This happy because of Chief Editor Xu?”

“No way!” Chen Yi shot back.

Her denial came too quick, only fueling Yu You’an’s suspicions.

Yu You’an patted her shoulder reassuringly. “It’s fine, I get it. My lips are sealed.”

She’d seen Chen Yi’s behavior at yesterday’s team dinner—the lingering after everyone else left, waiting for Chief Editor Xu—and now this over-the-top morning cheer.

Sipping her coffee thoughtfully, Yu You’an felt like she’d stumbled onto some delicious candy.

How nice!

The office was buzzing with youthful vibes today.

Chen Yi sighed helplessly. “No, you really don’t get it.”

She glanced around before leaning in to explain to Yu You’an. “That thing I said about Chief Editor Xu the other day? I didn’t mean it.”

“I swear, there’s nothing between us.”

It was all just her big mouth getting her in trouble.

Yu You’an nodded with an “I totally get it” expression. “Gotcha, gotcha.”

Chen Yi screamed internally: You look like you get nothing!

She’d been about to double down on the explanation, but then realized people only hear what they want to hear. Talking more wouldn’t help.

The best plan was to keep her distance from Xu Yan during the internship. That way, Yu You’an wouldn’t misunderstand, and neither would Xu Yan.

“Anyway, let’s drop it from now on,” Chen Yi said seriously to Yu You’an. “I’m fine, but it’d just bother Chief Editor Xu.”

Yu You’an swooned inwardly: She’s so sweet.

“No worries, Chen Yi!” Yu You’an thumped her chest. “I haven’t told a soul, and I won’t.”

“Thanks,” Chen Yi said.

Yu You’an waved it off. “No biggie.”

Chen Yi clinked her coffee cup against Yu You’an’s.

Yu You’an beamed, about to switch topics, when she spotted someone approaching from afar. Her mouth hung open, words dying in shock.

She shot to her feet. “Chief Editor Xu!”

Chen Yi froze on instinct and twisted in her seat. There stood Xu Yan, right behind her.

Chen Yi went speechless for a beat.

Yu You’an, inwardly exasperated at her friend’s denseness, swiftly grabbed the untouched extra coffee from Chen Yi’s desk and offered it to Xu Yan with a sweet smile. “Chief Editor Xu, Chen Yi got this for you.”

Chen Yi’s pupils dilated in shock.

She stared at Yu You’an in disbelief.

Yu You’an met Xu Yan’s gaze coolly.

Xu Yan wore a beige trench coat today, its crisp collar accentuating her sharp jawline. Her perfectly arched brows and red lips evoked a Siberian gale sweeping through the office, leaving a chill in its wake.

A beauty both piercing and remote.

The coffee couldn’t melt winter’s snow.

Xu Yan accepted it with a curt “Thank you.”

Chen Yi mustered a smile. “You’re welcome, Chief Editor Xu.”

Xu Yan hummed in acknowledgment, checked her watch, and turned back to her office, bag in hand.

The moment she left, Yu You’an mouthed a silent scream, mouth agape.

“She thanked you! She thanked you!!”

But—

Yu You’an frowned. “Why don’t you look happy?”

Chen Yi’s lips twitched.

That extra coffee on the desk? It was for herself! After streaming all night, she was dead tired—one cup wasn’t enough to perk her up. And after Xu Yan had shot her down and chewed her out last time she’d tried delivering coffee to her office, Chen Yi hadn’t even considered trying again.

Well, that was just great.

Chen Yi shot Yu You’an a haunted look.

A chill prickled the back of Yu You’an’s neck.

“W-What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Chen Yi said darkly. “Just not sure if I should call that an assist or a backstab.”

Pushing her right into the fire pit to make sure Xu Yan stayed good and suspicious?

Yu You’an hadn’t pieced it together yet when colleagues trickled in. Seeing the coffees on their desks—and hearing they’d come from Chen Yi—they all thanked her profusely.

Chen Yi waved it off breezily, though her mind stayed fixed on Xu Yan’s office.

Some gut feeling told her trouble was brewing.

Sure enough, moments later, Xu Yan’s assistant called her over.

Chen Yi was in the middle of reviewing a design draft when she heard. She paused. “What’s Chief Editor Xu want with me?”

The colleague grinned. “Beats me. Could be good news.”

Chen Yi wasn’t buying it.

She sighed inwardly in despair, rose, and headed to Xu Yan’s office door. She knocked lightly with two fingers. “Come in,” came the reply.

Chen Yi pushed the door open, slipped inside timidly, and ventured, “Chief Editor Xu, I heard you wanted to see me?”

Xu Yan hummed, setting aside the magazine proof in her hands.

“Be my assistant tomorrow,” Xu Yan said. “Ask Lily if you need help with anything.”

Chen Yi blinked. “Huh?”

Xu Yan arched a brow. “Not thrilled?”

Chen Yi schooled her features at once. “Of course not—”

Xu Yan nodded. “Dismissed, then.”

Chen Yi grumbled to herself: That’s it? She called me over for that?

“Got it.” As she looked up to leave, her eyes flicked across Xu Yan’s desk. That coffee—she hadn’t tossed it. It sat right by her hand, lipstick smudged on the rim. Xu Yan had drunk from it.

Was this a sign of reconciliation?

Before slipping out, Chen Yi caught Xu Yan’s parting words: “Good job today. You’re on time.”

Chen Yi’s lips curved up involuntarily. She rubbed her head sheepishly. “Just doing what I should.”

“So, Chief Editor Xu, I’ll head out?” Chen Yi gestured to the door.

Xu Yan inclined her head.

Chen Yi took a step—then Xu Yan stopped her.

“Next time, iced Americano. No sugar.” Xu Yan frowned, picking up the latte Chen Yi had “brought” that morning. “This is too sweet.”

Chen Yi: …

A barrage of tiny fists pelted her mind once more.

Xu Yan, what do you mean by this!

Giving you an inch and you take a mile!

We born coconut velvet latte lovers will never back down!!

“Got it, Chief Editor Xu.” Chen Yi flashed her best corporate drone smile. “I’ll remember.”

Tomorrow, she’d buy the bitterest Americano in the city! No sugar!

Xu Yan, I’ll bitter you to death!